Students lead the way in creating a sustainable college community

EASTON, PA — Every day is Earth Day at Lafayette College, as a growing number of students are taking an active role in making the campus a greener place to live and learn, according to a press release.

Through student-faculty research and projects and involvement in numerous campus organizations, students have been the drivers behind many efforts that helped the college climb from a grade of D- to B in the national Sustainable Endowments Institute's annual Green Report Card, the article stated.

"Students have stepped up to move the college forward with regard to working toward a sustainable community," said Arthur Kney, associate professor and head of civil and environmental engineering.

"It has been a united effort among faculty, staff and administration with the students acting as the thread that has brought us all together," Kney added.

George Xiques, assistant director of facilities planning and construction and campus sustainability manager, says it's critical that students are realistic in their environmental ideas, working with the administration to bring about change in a practical way, the article noted.

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Former janitor accused in $340,000 stock scam

CLEVELAND — A former custodian with stem cell developer Athersys has been accused by federal prosecutors of running a stock scam that bilked would-be investors out of $340,000 over six years, according to MedCity News.

Ronald Olear, 57, in some cases stole stock certificates to aid in his scheme, which involved selling bogus shares of stock to about 30 investors, the article stated.

The plot ran from 2003 to 2009, the year in which Olear was fired from his Athersys job, the article noted.

According to the article, Olear allegedly used the proceeds to help build a $600,000 house.

Athersys fired Olear shortly after learning of the allegations and said the ex-custodian's actions have had no impact on the company or its operations, the article added.

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Shigellosis cases on the rise in child care facilities

WILMINGTON, NC — The number of Shigellosis cases in New Hanover County are on the rise, according to WECT-TV.

The health department stresses the importance of good hand washing practices to prevent the spread of the illness, the article noted.

According to the article, Shigellosis is a diarrheal illness caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella and is usually transmitted when an infected person fails to properly wash their hands after using the restroom.

Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, cramping, nausea and vomiting: Children and providers can quickly spread the infection to parents, siblings or other children, the article stated.

Daycare facilities are responsible for excluding any child from care that has diarrhea and refer them to their medical care provider for evaluation, the article added.

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The University of North Carolina hire consultant to resolve housekeeping complaints

CHAPEL HILL, NC — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) will hire an external consultant to address a range of complaints raised by housekeepers in recent months, according to The Daily Tar Heel.

"I want to help everybody who's had difficulty in this situation, and I'm happy to make this investment of time and some money to pay an external consultant to see if we can come up with some new ideas," said Chancellor Holden Thorp.

Jackie Overton, chairwoman of the forum, said four themes were expressed at the meetings with Thorp: Retaliation, intimidation, management issues and inconsistent application of rules, the article noted.

Housekeepers presented their complaints to Thorp in a previous meeting, which occurred after weeks of controversy within the housekeeping ranks that began with a debate over the wage-hour policy that prohibits employees from taking additional breaks without prior approval from their supervisors, the article stated.

"After that meeting, we had three others because the chancellor really wanted their concerns to be heard fully," Overton said.

"So the decision was, after much discussion, to bring in an outside source to not let anybody at the university handle the issue, because there could always be the accusation that it's tainted," Overton added.

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EPA seeks policy shift

WASHINGTON — Aiming to reform its policies, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enlisted one of the biggest guns in the federal arsenal to help: The National Academy of Sciences, according to a press release.

On Tuesday, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and National Academy of Sciences President Ralph Cicerone launched an effort to develop the so-called Green Book, a project to ensure all EPA policies are driven by sustainability, the release stated.

The effort is reminiscent of the 1983 Red Book, written by the National Research Council to develop a strategy of risk assessment to guide the agency's policies, the release noted.

According to the release, that project triggered a dramatic shift in how the EPA developed regulations, focusing for the first time on scientifically evaluating risks to human health and the environment.

Paul Anastas, EPA's assistant administrator for research and development, said a new strategy focusing on sustainability is a necessary but challenging step in the "evolution" of the nation's environmental laws and programs.

"This is no small shift. This is a seismic shift in how we pursue our mission. We are under no illusion that it will happen by next Tuesday," Anastas added.

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IU Student Sustainability Council seeks to establish Sustainability Fund

BLOOMINGTON, IN — The Indiana University Student Sustainability Council (SSC) and its 22 member organizations are campaigning to establish a Sustainability Fund for the promotion of "green" initiatives and projects on the Indiana University Bloomington campus, according to a press release.

The Sustainability Fund would be supplied by a voluntary five-dollar fee offered during course registration, the release noted.

According to the release, to make this optional fund available, the SSC must collect signatures in support of the Sustainability Fund from one quarter of the enrolled student body — nearly 10,000 students — by the end of this semester.

If the Sustainability Fund is established, students and student organizations will have the opportunity to apply for funding for sustainability-related initiatives and projects on campus, the release stated.

"The voluntary nature of the fee and the fact that it is student-administered sends a clear message to IU officials and officials from peer universities that Indiana students are interested in and capable of identifying and addressing large-scale problems," said Jacob Bower-Bir, Graduate and Professional Student Organization sustainability officer and SSC logistics chair.

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University of Alberta janitors form union

EDMONTON, AB — Janitors at the University of Alberta have cleaned up problems with their employer over unpaid overtime and their desire to form a union, according to CHQT-AM.

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) said it has reached a first contract with Bee-Clean Building Maintenance to represent janitors who work at the university, the article stated.

Merryn Edwards, a union spokeswoman, said the contract has been ratified and all issues regarding unpaid overtime and unfair labor practices have been addressed in the agreement.

According to the article, 82 of the janitors have received their overtime pay and the province is trying to locate the remaining 40, who may have left the country.

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